Situation

This client specializes in information services that transform vast amounts of data, spread across multiple legacy formats, into solutions to suit customer requirements, and more specifically, produces the documentation for a major manufacturer's line of commercial and military aircraft. The company relies on the efficiency of its networks to stay in business, as a result, when management planned to move the company from its Los Angeles, California based facility to a larger space in Orange County, the team faced several daunting hurdles. The project required the services of one company that could do both infrastructure networking and voice and data integration in a short timeframe and under budget restraints. The most significant was the need for a VoIP solution that could grow with company's expansion plans.

Next Steps

The company retained Vector Resources, Inc. to assist with the implementation. Together the client and the systems integrator identified the needs for this project and divided the upgrade into the following components : Architect and design the new voice and data network Identify solutions that would provide state of the art functionality within a reasonable budget and narrow implementation timeframe Install new structured cabling and network implementation services Ensure minimal system training and maintenance would be necessary Include the ability to expand the network quickly and easily as the company hired additional employees

Solution Overview

Because of client's budget restraints, Vector recommended a "one wire to desktop" solution. This solution saved approximately 50 percent of cabling infrastructure costs, and included a 3Com NBX 100 phone system that was both easier to manage and less expensive than competing systems. Later, the company opened a 200+-person facility in San Diego and wanted to link that facility together with its existing operation in Orange County. This time Vector installed a VoIP solution, from 3Com (NBX SuperStack 3), which allowed for 4-digit dialing, toll-bypass, and connected to the Orange County office via the 3Com NBX 100; eliminating all long distance charges between locations.

Technical Detail

For the Cypress project, Vector's recommendation consisted of using 3Com's NBX 2102 10/100 phones, which included an Ethernet-device connectivity port for connecting a computer to the same 10/100-switched Ethernet connection (one wire to desktop). This "one wire" solution resulted in the significant savings on cabling costs. These phones were powered over the same data infrastructure using a 3Com Ethernet Power Source (EPS). 125 NBX 2102 desktop phones were initially installed. In the second project, an additional Superstack III was installed to company's San Diego location, and integrated the Orange County and San Diego locations through 3Com Virtual Tie lines that eliminated their long distance charges. They also installed the "one wire to the desktop solution" which saved them approximately 50% on cabling costs.

Results

Because Vector was able to understand the needs of their client clearly and the company was open to adopting new, cutting-edge technologies, the company has earned a win-win of improved features and functionality that have enhanced productivity of its employees resulting in dramatic cost savings.